Lion, Witch, Wardrobe, boy

A Hemel Hempstead schoolboy will take to the stage as one of the lead characters in a theatrical adaptation of a popular children’s book.

Budding thespian Louie Cordara, 12, will take on the role of one of the Pevensie children in the Chesham Bois Catholic Players’ version of C.S. Lewis’ classic The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.

Join the decades-old theatre company as it enters the magical world of Narnia, with John F Kennedy School pupil Louie as Edmund.

When Edmund and siblings Peter, Susan and Lucy leave London as evacuees, they arrive at a mysterious house where a wardrobe in a spare room starts them on an adventure to the winter wonderland that is Narnia.

Louie, who also attends Stagecoach and has recently recorded a Radio 4 play, will prepare to battle the White Witch as the Pevensie children join forces with the great lion Aslan and a host of mythical creatures.

Directors Johnny Schwerzmann and Adam Millard said ‘We have both always wanted to put on a production of

‘The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe’ and bring the magic to life on stage, and Adrian Mitchell’s script gave us the opportunity. We were delighted when producer Lizzy Sutton asked us to direct a show and immediately thought that Narnia would be an ideal spectacular for the winter season.”

A spokesman for the Players said the young cast, including Louie, are all enjoying rehearsals and can’t wait to perform on stage when the show hits Chesham’s Elgiva Theatre next month.

The show runs on Thursday and Friday, January 22 and 23 at 7.30pm, Saturday, January 24 at 2pm and 6.30pm, and Sunday, January 25 at 2pm.

Tickets cost £10 for children, £12.50, for concessions and £15 for adults – and there is also a group discount available for parties of 15 o r more.